Police arrest 10 suspects for flogging pastor over Facebook post

Ebonyi State Police Command, said it has arrested 10
suspects in connection with the flogging of one pastor
Oko Chukwu Obeni, 30, of Ndukwe Amasiri Village in
Afikpo North local government area of Ebonyi State.
It was alleged that the victim was flogged over 36
strokes of the cane because of the post he made on
Facebook against the Chairman of Afikpo North LGA,
Hon. Ogbonnia Oko Enyim and some key stakeholders
in the area.
A source from the community hinted that the victim
was supposed to be flogged 50 strokes of cane, if not
for the timely intervention of his elder brother who paid
cash (over 5,000) in exchange for the remaining 14
strokes.
In a statement released by the Ebonyians State Police
Command’s Spokesperson, DSP Loveth Odah, the
victim is presently receiving medical attention.
“On 14/05/2020 at about 5:pm one Pastor Oko Chukwu
Obeni ‘m’ age 30yrs of Ndukwe Amasiri village in Afikpo
North LGA of Ebonyi State reported at Afikpo North
Division that Isi Oru Age Grade led by one Julius Amadi
Nyerere and deputized by one Eze Ogbonna ‘m’ all of
the same address dragged him to the Ogo Playground
in the area, tired his both hands to back and flogged
him severally with canes which infected multiple
injuries all over his body and poured him with filthy
water.
“Following the report, the victim was immediately taken
to the hospital for proper medical care and he is
responding to treatment.
“Subsequently, The leader of the Isi Oru Age Grade, Mr.
Julius Amadi Nyerere and Nine (9) others were
arrested in connection of the case.
“Preliminary investigation revealed that the assault was
as result of a post made by the victim in one of the
popular social media platforms “Facebook”,
condemning a particular action of Afikpo North LGA
Council Chairman, Hon. Ogbonnia Oko Enyim and
Commending the Traditional Ruler of the area and his
cabinet over the decision taken against the Council
boss for such action, that the LGA Council Chairman’s
loyalist were allegedly angered by this post in the said
platform causing them to take the laws into their hands
thereby committing the heinous crime.”
According to her, the Acting Commissioner of Police,
Ebonyi State, DCP Yekini A. Ayoku has called on the
general public to remain calm as he has ordered a full-
scale investigation into the matter. Ends
Pastor Oko Chukwu Obeni being flogged openly in
Afikpo North local government area of Ebonyi.